INTERNATIONAL. The television news pictures of centrifuges, nuclear power plants and deadlocked negotiations, have given way to visions of beautiful beaches on the Caspian Sea riviera, sun-drenched islands in the Persian Gulf and cultural sites second to none - Iran is back on the tourist map, according to the region’s leading observers.

There are big challenges ahead, but the decision by many countries to lift sanctions following the nuclear deal, has opened up investor potential like nowhere else.

"Iran is a bright star", according to Nikola Kosutic, head of research for the Middle East region at Euromonitor, the respected international analyst. "The potential is enormous when you consider where they are now, and what they could achieve in the near future. Iran is likely to become the leading tourism market in the Middle East and North Africa Region, provided the infrastructure is able to develop and cope with changes."

Euromonitor International's full report on travel and tourism in Iran outlines the way ahead, and the threats to achieving the country's goal of attracting a huge increase in tourists by 2025, amounting to 35 billion US dollars a year. Tourism currently accounts for less than eight billion dollars.

The report will be a main focus for discussion at the inaugural Iran Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (IHTIC) being organised by Bench Events on 7-8 February – a new high-level gathering of international investors, consultants and local leaders in the hospitality industry, who will come together to meet each other and discuss how to develop the country’s tourism sector.

Iran offers a diversity that is unique in the region, according to the report. Blending Persian and Arab cultures, the list of attractions is long: from the great city of Isfahan, to the mountains of Damavand, the religious tourism site of Mashhad, and the island of Kish.

While the US still has sanctions in place, hotel groups headquartered outside the USA have already started to move in. The French Accor group became the first in 2016. Others are following including the UAE's Rotana and Spain's Melia. It's expected that by 2018 Iran will have six different international brands.

In response, the country is trying to move fast to develop its infrastructure including increasing airport capacity at Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad and Shiraz. Iranian airlines has purchased more aircraft as international airlines start to focus on the market, including British Airways, which recently launched daily flights to Tehran.

But there are weaknesses, according to the Euromonitor report. Airport capacity is still limited and more investment is needed. The hotel market is massively under supplied often with poorly trained staff. And Internet infrastructure - especially online payment systems - is underdeveloped as a result of banking sanctions. Online sales are lagging, but picking up fast. The slow but gradual improvement in Iran's domestic currency is also helping.

The report says the current Iranian government wants to encourage international tourism - apart from anything else, it needs the revenue. It is backing - politically and financially - a cultural heritage organisation to co-ordinate 160 projects, including hotels. And it is advertising abroad.

But in many international eyes, Iran remains at the centre of regional unrest of which it is a key player. Potential tourists will have to be convinced.

Nikola Kosutic believes they can be. With culture, ecotourism, and skiing, there are attractions across age groups. Enough to compete against many regional destinations, notably Egypt, Dubai, Oman and Turkey, the latter of which has recently faced an increase in terrorism. By contrast, Iran is considered to be a safe destination.

The largest source markets at the moment are Iraq and Azerbaijan, but the fastest growth has come from countries in Europe, and Americans are returning as well after decades of Iranian isolation. Nikola predicts that Russians will also arrive in big numbers. Visa procedures are being relaxed - Iran has started issuing 30-day visas for tourists from 58 countries on arrival.

For investors things are not quite as easy. A reliable local partner - to navigate bureaucracy, business rivalry, and even corruption - is crucial. Without one, the task is impossible.

About Bench EventsGlobal event organiser Bench Events has a long track record of delivering multiple premium hotel investment conferences and forums across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Market leading annual conferences include the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) in Dubai, now in its 13th year, the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) the new Asia Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (AHTIC), The Summit in London and the Latin American Hotel & Tourism Investment Conferences (SAHIC).

Bench Events’ extensive portfolio also includes the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) in Dubai and AviaDev, designed to promote the future air connectivity in Africa.

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